Billing support in a media exchange network

ABSTRACT

A system providing billing support for the exchange of media is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide for the authorization of and billing for the delivery of media from a media server to local storage for consumption on a television display. The media may be audio, still pictures, video, or data. Other embodiments may provide for the authorization of and billing for the transfer of media from a media peripheral to a media server for media backup or distribution. A media peripheral may be, for example, a digital camera, digital camcorder, personal computer (PC), personal digital assistant (PDA), multi-media gateway, and MP3 player. An embodiment may support pre-payment, payment at time of use, and post-use billing for the media exchange. In an embodiment of the present invention, the storing or accessing of media may be performed without identifying the user to the media server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/667,036, entitled “Billing Support In A Media Exchange Network,”filed Sep. 22, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,082,198, issued Dec. 20, 2011,which makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/467,867, entitled “BillingSupport In A Media Exchange Network”, filed May 5, 2003, U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/432,472, entitled “PersonalInter-Home Media Exchange Network”, filed Dec. 11, 2002, and U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/443,894, entitled “Personal AccessAnd Control Of Media Peripherals On A Media Exchange Network”, filedJan. 30, 2003, the complete subject matter of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. In addition, theapplicants hereby incorporate the complete subject matter herein byreference, in their entirety, of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/461,717, entitled “Secure Media Peripheral Association WithAuthentication In A Media Exchange Network”, filed Apr. 10, 2003, andU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/457,179, entitled“Server Architecture Supporting A Personal Media Exchange Network”,filed Mar. 25, 2003. In addition this application makes reference toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/657,390, entitled “PersonalInter-Home Media Exchange Network”, filed Sep. 8, 2003, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,496,647, issued Feb. 24, 2009, and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/660,267, entitled “Personal Access And Control Of MediaPeripherals On A Media Exchange Network”, filed Sep. 11, 2003, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,496,665, issued Feb. 24, 2009, the complete subject matter ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

SEQUENCE LISTING

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, people may subscribe to a cable TV service or a satellite TVservice over the telephone or over the Internet using a PC (personalcomputer). Billing may be done by the service provider on a monthlybasis. Different media packages are typically available, allowing a userto choose between a limited number of options that provide greater orfewer viewing channels. Typically, a user ends up with certain channelsthat he would rather not have, but must pay for anyway because they area part of the package.

For example, a basic package may be offered providing standard cable andbroadcast channels. This may be the least expensive option. Otheroptions may include the basic package along with certain premium moviechannels and/or premium cable channels. These more premium packages aremore expensive than the basic package. Also, authorization to viewspecial pay-per-view events may be available for purchase andconsumption through the service provider.

It can often be difficult to cancel a cable or satellite service. A usermay have to wait on hold on a telephone for a long period of time. Also,the user may have to pay a cancellation fee, depending on the details ofhis service contract and the time of the month that he cancels.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention may be found in a system providingbilling support for the exchange of media. Such a system may comprise afirst television display in a first home of a first user, and a firststorage in the first home, the first storage supporting mediaconsumption by the first television display in the first home, andhaving a first network protocol address. An embodiment of the presentinvention may comprise a user interface, at the first home, having atleast one user defined media channel. Each of the at least one userdefined media channel may comprise a sequence of user selected andscheduled media, and the user interface may support selection andscheduling of the media. An embodiment of the present invention may alsocomprise at least one server storing the media and having a secondnetwork protocol address, and server software that receives from thefirst home via a communication network a request for the delivery ofmedia. The request may comprise information securing payment fordelivery, and the server may respond by coordinating the delivery of themedia from the at least one server at the second network protocoladdress to the first storage at the first network protocol address forconsumption by the first television display.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the media may comprise atleast one of audio, a still image, video, and data, and the first andsecond network protocol addresses may be one of an Internet protocol(IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, and an electronicserial number (ESN). The communication network may comprise at least oneof a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, anintranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wirelessinfrastructure, and the communication network may be the Internet. Theconsumption may comprise at least one of playing digitized audio,displaying a still image, displaying video, and displaying data.

In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, theinformation securing payment for delivery may comprise at least one of adevice ID, a public key for encryption, information related to services,information regarding payment terms, information regarding billing, andmedia push/access restrictions and limitations. In another embodiment,the information securing payment for delivery may be received via thecommunication network from a second user at a second home.

An embodiment of the present invention may comprise at least one mediaperipheral communicatively coupled to the first storage. The at leastone media peripheral may provide at least a portion of the informationsecuring payment for delivery, and the media may be delivered to the atleast one media peripheral. The at least one media peripheral maycomprise at least one of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, atelevision, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, amulti-media gateway device, a multi-media personal digital assistant, aDVD player, a tape player, and a MP3 player. The identity of a userreceiving media may be unknown to the at least one server.

Additional aspects of the present invention may be found in a systemproviding billing support for the exchange of media. An embodiment inaccordance with the present invention may comprise a first storage inthe first home, the first storage supporting media consumption, andhaving an associated first protocol address. It may also comprise asecond television display in a second home having an associated secondprotocol address. An embodiment of the present invention may comprise auser interface, at the first home. The user interface may have at leastone user defined media channel, and each of the at least one userdefined media channel may comprise a sequence of user selected andscheduled media. The user interface may support selection and schedulingof the media.

An embodiment of the present invention may also comprise at least oneserver storing the media, and server software that receives from thefirst home at the associated first protocol address, via a communicationnetwork, a request for the delivery of the media. The request maycomprise information securing payment for delivery, and the at least oneserver may respond by coordinating the delivery of the media from one ofthe first storage and the at least one server to the second televisiondisplay at the associated second protocol address for consumption.

The media in an embodiment of the present invention may comprise atleast one of audio, a still image, video, and data, and the first andsecond protocol addresses may be one of an Internet protocol (IP)address, a media access control (MAC) address, and an electronic serialnumber (ESN). The communication network may comprise at least one of acable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, anintranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wirelessinfrastructure. The communication network may be the Internet.

In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the at leastone server may comprise at least one of a 3rd party service provider, amedia storage server, and a broadband head end, and the identity of auser receiving media may be unknown to the at least one server. Theinformation securing payment for delivery may comprise at least one of adevice ID, a public key for encryption, information related to services,information regarding payment terms, information regarding billing, andmedia push/access restrictions and limitations. In addition, anembodiment of the present invention may comprise at least one mediaperipheral communicatively coupled to the set top box circuitry, and theat least one media peripheral may provide the media. The at least onemedia peripheral may comprise at least one of a digital camera, adigital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, ahome juke-box, a multi-media gateway device, a multi-media personaldigital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, and a MP3 player. In anembodiment in accordance with the present invention, at least one ofbilling and payment may be secured before delivery of the media occurs.

Further aspects of the present invention may be observed in a systemproviding billing support for the exchange of media. Such a system maycomprise a first storage in the first home, a second television displayin a second home, and a user interface having at least one user definedmedia channel comprising a sequence of user selected and scheduledmedia, the user interface supporting selection and scheduling of themedia. An embodiment of the present invention may also comprise at leastone server storing the media, and server software that receives arequest for the delivery of the media. The request may compriseinformation securing payment for delivery, and the server may respond bycoordinating the delivery of the media from one of the first storage andthe at least one server to the second television display forconsumption.

The media in an embodiment in accordance with the present inventionmedia comprise at least one of audio, a still image, video, and data.The communication network may comprise at least one of a cableinfrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriberline (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranetinfrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.The identity of a user receiving media may be unknown to the at leastone server.

An embodiment of the present invention may also comprise at least onemedia peripheral communicatively coupled to the first storage, and theat least one media peripheral may act as one of a source or adestination for the media. The at least one media peripheral maycomprise at least one of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, atelevision, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, amulti-media gateway device, a multi-media personal digital assistant, aDVD player, a tape player, and a MP3 player.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork comprising an architecture to support billing and payment formedia services, in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method to performbilling and payment for media services on the media exchange network ofFIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method to order mediacontent on the media exchange network of FIG. 1 and have the mediacontent delivered to a second party as a gift, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method using a digitalcertificate within a media peripheral device to obtain media content viaa manufacturer of the device, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a first exemplary media exchangenetwork in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of performing personal mediaexchange over a second exemplary media exchange network in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of performing third-party mediaexchange over a third exemplary media exchange network in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of a TV guide channel user interfacein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of several instantiations of a TVguide channel user interface of FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a TV guide channel user interfaceshowing several options of a pushed media in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of a media processing system (MPS)interfacing to media capture peripherals in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a media processingsystem (MPS) in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a PC and an MPS interfacing to aserver on a media exchange network in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a PC interfacing to personalmedia capture devices and remote media storage on a media exchangenetwork in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork 100 comprising an architecture with functionality to supportuser billing, payment, and authorization for media services, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. Specifically,the media exchange network 100 is a communication network comprising aPC 101, a MPS (media processing system) 102, and at least one MP (mediaperipheral) 103 at a 1^(st) home 104; a PC 105, a MPS 106, and at leastone MP 107 at a 2^(nd) home 108. The MP 103 interfaces to the PC 101and/or the MPS 102 via, for example, a wireless link or a wired link(e.g., a USB connection). The PC 101 and the MPS 102 interface to abroadband access headend 109. The broadband access headend 109 maycomprise a cable headend, a satellite headend, or a DSL headend, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As anoption, the MP 103 may interface with the broadband access headend 109.The PC 101, MPS 102, and/or MP 103 may include internal modems (e.g., acable modem or DSL modem) or other interface devices in order tocommunicate with the broadband access headend 109. Optionally, theinterface device (e.g., modem) may be external to the PC 101, MPS 102,and MP 103.

Similarly, The MP 107 interfaces to the PC 105 and/or the MPS 106 via,for example, a wireless link or a wired link (e.g., a USB connection).The PC 105 and the MPS 106 interface to a broadband access headend 110.The broadband access headend 110 may comprise a cable headend, asatellite headend, or a DSL headend, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention. As an option, the MP 107 mayinterface with the broadband access headend 110. The PC 105, MPS 106,and/or MP 107 may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or DSLmodem) or other interface device in order to communicate with thebroadband access headend 110. Optionally, the interface device (e.g.,modem) may be external to the PC 105, MPS 106, and MP 107.

The media exchange network 100 further comprises a broadband accessheadend 111 connected between a 3^(rd) home 112 and an Internetinfrastructure 115, a media exchange server 113 (as in the case of asingle central server supporting the media exchange network 100) and,optionally, at least one other media exchange server 114 (as in the caseof a multiple server architecture) supporting the media exchange network100 connected to the Internet infrastructure 115. That is, an embodimentof the present invention may comprise more than two media exchangeservers strategically located at various points in the media exchangenetwork 100.

The broadband access headends 109 and 110 also interface to the Internetinfrastructure 115. The broadband access headend 111 may comprise acable headend, a satellite headend, or a DSL headend, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention. The 3^(rd) home 112 mayalso include a PC, a MPS, and/or a MP as part of the media exchangenetwork 100.

The media exchange network 100 also comprises a media storage server 116and a 3^(rd) party media server 117, both interfacing to the Internetinfrastructure 115. The media storage server 116 interacts with themedia exchange server 113 and provides temporary and/or archival storagefor digital media on the media exchange network 100. For example, themedia storage server 116 may temporarily hold media files that areaddressed to certain MPS's and/or PC's on the media exchange network100.

The 3^(rd) party media server 117 may store movies, video, userprofiles, and other digital media that may be provided to users of themedia exchange network 100.

The media exchange network 100 further comprises a manufacturer's server118 connected to the Internet infrastructure 115. The manufacturer'sserver 118 is provided by a manufacturer of devices that may be used onthe media exchange network 100 and provides certain manufacturerservices.

Each of the elements of the media exchange network 100 may be identifiedby a network protocol address such as, for example, an Internet protocol(IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, an electronic serialnumber (ESN), etc. Examples of elements that may be identified by suchaddresses include PC's such as PC 101 and 105, MPS's such as MPS 102 and106, and MP's such as MP 103 and 107.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, abroadband access headend may be upgraded to a media exchange headend byadding functionality to facilitate the exchange of media on the mediaexchange network in conjunction with the media exchange server. Suchfunctionality may include billing, distributed networking capability,archival functionality (long term media storage), temporary storage (toaid in the distribution and routing of media), storage management, anddigital rights management.

The media exchange server architecture solves the problem of securebilling/payment and authorization for media services on the mediaexchange network 100. The media exchange servers 113 and 114 providefunctionality on the media exchange network 100 includingbilling/payment, device registration, channel/program setup andmanagement, and security.

The various elements of the media exchange network 100 include storagelocations for digital media and data. The storage locations maycomprise, for example, hard disk drives, a DVD player, a CD player,floppy disk drives, RAM, or any combination of these. The storagelocations may also include, for example, memory sticks, PCMCIA cards,compact flash cards, or any combination of these.

The PC's (101 and 105) may comprise desktop PC's, notebook PC's, PDA's,or any computing device.

The MPS's (102 and 106) are essentially enhanced set-top-boxes. TheMPS's (102 and 106) may each include a TV screen for viewing andinteracting with various user interfaces, media, data, and services thatare available on the media exchange network using, for example, a remotecontrol. The PC's 101 and 105 may each include a PC monitor for viewingand interacting with various user interfaces, media, data, and servicesthat are available on the media exchange network using, for example, akeyboard and mouse. The MPS's, PC's, and/or MP's include functionalsoftware to support interaction with the media exchange servers andmedia peripherals on the media exchange network 100, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention.

For example, the functional software may comprise a MES (media exchangesoftware) platform providing certain functionality such asbilling/payment for media services, the ability to access, process, andpush media content on the media exchange network 100, and the ability todisplay media content on a screen. The screen may act as a userinterface for the selection and display of media content and messages.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a MPSmay comprise a set-top-box (STB), a PC, or a TV with a media managementsystem (MMS). A MMS is also known herein as a media exchange software(MES) platform.

A MMS comprises a software platform operating on at least one processorto provide certain functionality including user interface functionality,distributed storage functionality, and networking functionality. Forexample, a MMS may provide control of media peripheral devices, statusmonitoring of media peripheral devices, and inter-home MPS routingselection, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The media peripherals (103 and 107) of the media exchange network 100may include, for example, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, atelevision, a personal computer, a CD player, a MP3 player, a homejuke-box system, a multi-media PDA (personal digital assistant), amulti-media gateway device, a DVD player, a tape player, and varioushome appliances.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a digital certificate isembedded in the firmware or hardware of a new (i.e., non-legacy) MP. Thedigital certificate comprises certain information including a device ID,a public key for encryption, and possibly other information related toservices, payment terms, billing, and media push/access restrictions andlimitations. The digital certificate may be installed in the MP by themanufacturer or seller at the time of purchase. Alternatively, thedigital certificate may be downloaded by the manufacturer to the MP,over a media exchange network, via a PC or a MPS when a user firstconnects the MP to a PC or a MPS.

Other embodiments of the present invention may comprise variouscombinations and/or multiple instantiations of the elements of FIG. 1,in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Media content on a media exchange network 100 may originate from mediaperipherals, home appliances, PC's, and remote service providers. Themedia content may comprise many forms of digital media including digitalvideo, digital images, digital audio, documents, etc.

A user of the media exchange network 100 may desire to have access tocertain media exchange services provided by the media exchange network100 and would like to gain access to and pay for those services in aneasy and straightforward manner. The services may comprise providingaccess to certain broadcast channels that are available on the mediaexchange network through, for example, a cable provider. The servicesmay also include authorization to set up and share certain mediachannels on the media exchange network 100, storage and routing serviceson the media exchange network 100, and authorization to interact withcertain other users on the media exchange network.

For example, a user may desire access to certain media channels providedby the 3^(rd) party media server 117. The channels may include broadcastTV programs, Internet-based radio channels, special news programming,special sporting events, etc. The 3^(rd) party media server 117 may alsoprovide on-demand movies, videos, and other media as well, in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention.

A user of the media exchange network 100 may desire to upload mediacontent from the MPS 102, for example, to the media storage server 116.The media storage server may serve as the user's backup for his mediacontent.

For the purposes of billing and payment, the media exchange network maysupport pre-payment, concurrent payment (i.e., pay-per-consumption), andpost-payment options in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention. With a pre-payment option, all media exchangeservices provided are paid for ahead of time, before the services areused. With the concurrent payment option, a media exchange service ispaid for immediately before the particular service is used. With thepost-payment option, a media exchange service is paid for after theservice is used. For example, a user may be billed at the end of themonth. Also, a subscription for access to media services over apre-defined time period may be set up. In accordance with an embodimentof the present invention, a user may set up pre-arranged access to themedia exchange network 100 over the telephone or from a web site on theInternet using, for example, the PC 101.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, billingsupport and functionality may be handled by the media exchange server113. When a user accesses billable media services on the media exchangenetwork 100, all billing and payment functions are processed through thecentral media exchange server 113. The media exchange server 113 may belinked to, for example, a cable service provider or a satellite serviceprovider at a broadband access headend via the Internet and/or atelephony infrastructure (e.g., DSL). The media exchange server 113coordinates billing and payment functions between a service provider anda consumer on the media exchange network 100.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention,billing/payment support and functionality may be handled in adistributed manner across the media exchange network 100. For example,the 3^(rd) party media server 117 may perform initial billing andpayment processing for a user of a MPS at the 3^(rd) home 112, and thenreconcile with another server 114 near the broadband access headend 111.

Payment, contract terms, and other functions associated with accessingmedia services on the media exchange network 100 may be performed by anydevice (e.g., MPS, PC, MP) on the media exchange network 100, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A personal mediaexchange network payment profile for a user may be set up and stored,for example, in the user's MPS or PC, or in the media exchange server113. The personal media exchange network payment profile enables all ofthe billing and payment activities (i.e., functions) associated with auser of the media exchange network 100.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 200 to performbilling for media services on the media exchange network 100 of FIG. 1,in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In step201, a device on a media exchange network (e.g., a MPS) requests mediacontent from a 3^(rd) party media provider via a media exchange server.In step 202, the media exchange server checks to see if the mediacontent has already been paid for (i.e., pre-paid option). If the mediacontent has already been paid for then, in step 203, the media contentis delivered to the device via the media exchange network. Otherwise, instep 204, if the device indicates that payment will be made now then, instep 205, the media exchange server obtains credit card information fromthe device and bills the credit card. Then, in step 203, the mediacontent is delivered to the device via the media exchange network.Otherwise, in step 206, an account corresponding to a user of the deviceis billed for the media content and then, in step 203, the media contentis delivered to the device via the media exchange network.

As an example, referring to FIG. 1, a user at the first home 104 desiresto order a video of a movie from the 3^(rd) party media server 117 viathe user's MPS 102. The MPS 102 sends a request to the media exchangeserver 113 for the video. The media exchange server 113 checks to see ifthe user has already paid for the video and discovers that he has not.The media exchange server 113 sends a reply to the MPS 102 asking if theuser wants to pay for the video now or be billed. The user indicates tothe media exchange server 113 via the MPS 102 that he would like to bebilled. The media exchange server 113 proceeds to bill a pre-establishedaccount of the user and instructs the 3^(rd) party media server 117 topush the video to the MPS 102 via the media exchange network 100.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 210 to order mediacontent on the media exchange network 100 of FIG. 1 and have the mediacontent delivered to a second party as a gift, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. In step 211, a first device ata first location on a media exchange network is used to order a mediagift (i.e., media content) from a 3^(rd) party media provider via amedia exchange server. In step 212, the first device indicates to themedia exchange server that the media gift is to be delivered to a seconddevice at a second location on the media exchange network. In step 213,the media exchange server bills an account of the first device for themedia gift and directs the 3^(rd) party media provider to push the mediagift to the second device. In step 214, the 3^(rd) party media providerpushes the media gift to the second device via the media exchangenetwork as a gift from the user of the first device.

As an example, referring to FIG. 1, a user of the PC 105 at the 2^(nd)home 108 desires to order and pay for a video course for a user of theMPS 102 at the 1^(st) home 104. The user at the 2^(nd) home 108communicates via the PC 105 with the media exchange server 113 to orderand pay for the video course. The media exchange server 113 bills apre-established account of the user at the 2^(nd) home 108 and directs a3^(rd) party media server 117 to push the video course to the MPS 102 atthe 1^(st) home 104. The 3^(rd) party media server proceeds to push thevideo course to the MPS 102 as a pre-paid gift from the user of the PC105 at the 2^(nd) home 108.

FIG. 2C is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 220 using a digitalcertificate within a media peripheral device to obtain media content viaa manufacturer of the device, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. In step 221, a media peripheral device is purchasedhaving a digital certificate from a manufacturer. In step 222, the mediaperipheral device is connected to a media exchange network and isregistered on the media exchange network. In step 223, the digitalcertificate within the media peripheral device is transmitted to aserver of the manufacturer via the media exchange network. In step 224,the server of the manufacturer opens up the digital certificate andprocesses the information content of the digital certificate. In step225, as a result of processing the digital certificate in step 224, theserver of the manufacturer pays a 3^(rd) party media provider for mediacontent and directs that the media content be delivered to the mediaperipheral device via the media exchange network.

For example, a user of the MP 103 at the 1^(st) home 104, havingpurchased the MP 103 from a manufacturer with a digital certificateembedded, connects the MP 103 to the media exchange network 100 via thePC 101. The MP 103 comprises a MP3 player 103 and the embedded digitalcertificate contains information allowing the user to obtain 50 songsfor free from a manufacturer of the MP3 player 103. The MP3 player 103is registered on the media exchange network 100 and the digitalcertificate within the MP3 player 103 is transmitted via the mediaexchange network 100 to the manufacturer's server 118. The server 118opens and processes the digital certificate and proceeds to pay a 3^(rd)party media provider 117 for the songs. The 3^(rd) party media provider117 then pushes the 50 songs to the MP3 player 103 via the mediaexchange network 100 through the PC 101.

Typically, a certificate key is provided by a certificate authority andis used to open a digital certificate. In accordance with an embodimentof the present invention, a certificate key may be provided to, forexample, a MPS on the media exchange network.

Other embodiments that do not use digital certificates are possible aswell. For example, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, instead of a digital certificate being used, a userof a MP may enter a serial number and/or some other identifying code viahis MPS or PC and send the serial number and/or code to themanufacturer's server via the media exchange network. The manufacturer'sserver responds by paying the 3^(rd) party media provider for mediacontent and directs that the media content be delivered to the MP viathe media exchange network.

A major challenge is to be able to transfer and share many differenttypes of digital media, data, and services between one device/locationand another with ease while being able to index, manage, and store thedigital media and data.

For example, it is desirable to be able to distribute and store manytypes of digital media in a PC and/or television environment in auser-friendly manner without requiring many different types of softwareapplications and/or unique and dedicated interfaces. Any networkingissues or other technical issues should be transparent to the users. Itis also desirable to take advantage of existing hardware infrastructure,as much as possible, when providing such capability.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a media exchange network isprovided that enables many types of digital media, data, and/or servicesto be stored, indexed, viewed, searched for, pushed from one user toanother, and requested by users, using a TV channel guide look-and-feeluser interface. The media exchange network also allows a user toconstruct personal media channels that comprise his personal digitalmedia (e.g., captured digital pictures, digital video, digital audio,etc.), request that third-party media channels be constructed fromthird-party digital media, and access the media channels pushed to himby other users on the media exchange network.

PC's may be used but are not required to interface to the media exchangenetwork for the purpose of exchanging digital media, data, and services.Instead, set-top-boxes or integrated MPS's (media processing systems)may be used with the media exchange network to perform all of thepreviously described media exchange functions using a remote controlwith a television screen.

Current set-top-boxes may be software enhanced to create a MPS thatprovides full media exchange network interfacing and functionality via aTV screen with a TV guide look-and-feel. PC's may be software enhancedas well and provide the same TV guide look-and-feel. Therefore, themedia exchange network supports both PC's and MPS's in a similar manner.Alternatively, a fully integrated MPS may be designed from the groundup, having full MPS capability.

In the case of an MPS configuration, the user takes advantage of hisremote control and TV screen to use the media exchange network. In thecase of a PC configuration, the user takes advantage of his keyboardand/or mouse to use the media exchange network.

An MPS or enhanced PC is effectively a storage and distribution platformfor the exchange of personal and third party digital media, data, andservices as well as for bringing the conventional television channels toa user's home. An MPS and/or PC connects to the media exchange networkvia an existing communication infrastructure which may include cable,DSL, satellite, etc. The connection to the communication infrastructuremay be hard-wired or wireless.

The media exchange network allows users to effectively become their ownbroadcasters from their own homes by creating their own media channelsand pushing those media channels to other authorized users on the mediaexchange network, such as friends and family members.

FIG. 3 comprises a media exchange network 300 for exchanging and sharingdigital media, data, and services in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. The media exchange network 300 is a secure,closed network environment that is only accessible to pre-defined usersand service providers. The media exchange network of FIG. 3 comprises afirst PC 301 and a first media processing system (MPS) 302 at a user'shome 303, a communication infrastructure 304, external processinghardware support 305, remote media storage 306, a second PC 307 at aremote location 308 such as an office, and a second MPS 309 at aparent's home 310.

The PC's 301 and 307 and the MPS's 302 and 309 each include a mediaexchange software (MES) platform 311 and a networking component 312 forconnectivity. The MES platform 311 provides multiple capabilitiesincluding media “push” capability, media “access” capability, mediachannel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service, and an integrated TV channel guidelook-and-feel.

The external processing hardware support 305 comprises at least oneserver such as a centralized internet server, a peer-to-peer server, orcable head end. The server may alternatively be distributed over varioushosts or remote PC's. The MES platform 311 may also reside on theexternal processing hardware support server 305. The remote mediastorage 306 may comprise user media storage and distribution systems 313and/or third party media storage and distribution systems 314.

The communication infrastructure 304 may comprise at least one ofinternet infrastructure, satellite infrastructure, cable infrastructure,dial-up infrastructure, cellular infrastructure, xDSL infrastructure,optical infrastructure, or some other infrastructure. The communicationinfrastructure 304 links the user's home 303, parent's home 310, remotemedia storage 306, and remote location office 308 to each other (i.e.,the communication infrastructure 304 links all users and serviceproviders of the media exchange network 300).

The various functions 315 of the media exchange network 300 comprisegenerating personal network associations, personal storage management,media capture device support, security/authentication/authorizationsupport, authorship tracking and billing and address registration andmaintenance. These media exchange management functions 315 may bedistributed over various parts of the media exchange network 300. Forexample, the personal network associations and personal storagemanagement functions may be integrated in the PC 301 at the user's home303.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of personal media exchange over a mediaexchange network 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In step 1, the media exchange software (MES) platform 401 isused to construct personal media channels on a PC 402 by a user at “myhouse” 403. For example, with various media stored on the PC 402 such asdigital pictures 404, videos 405, and music 406, the MES platform 401allows the digital media to be organized by a user into several channelshaving a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface 407 on the PC402.

In step 2, the user at “my house” 403 pushes a media channel 408 (e.g.,“Joe's Music”) to “brother's house” 409 and pushes two media channels410 and 411 (e.g., “Vacation Video” and “Kid's Pictures”) to “Mom'shouse” 412 via a peer-to-peer server 413 over the internet-based mediaexchange network 400. “Brother's house” 409 includes a first MPS 414connected to the media exchange network 400. “Mom's house” 412 includesa second MPS 415 connected to the media exchange network 400. The MPS's414 and 415 also provide a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface407.

In step 3, brother and/or Mom access the pushed media channels via theirrespective media processing systems (MPS's) 414 and 415 using theirrespective MPS TV screens and remote controls.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of third-party media exchange over a mediaexchange network 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In step 1, a PC-initiated third-party request is made by afirst party 501 via an internet-based media exchange network 500 using aTV channel guide look-and-feel user interface 502 on a PC 503. In step2, an anonymous delivery of the requested third-party channel 504 ismade to a second party 505 via the internet-based media exchange network500. In step 3, the second party 505 accesses the third-party channel504 using a TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface 506 on a TVscreen 507 that is integrated into an MPS 508.

Similarly, in step A, an MPS-initiated third-party request is made by asecond party 505 via an internet-based media exchange network 500 usinga TV channel guide look-and-feel user interface 506 on a TV screen 507using a remote control 509. The second party 505 may key in a code,using his remote control 509, that is correlated to a commercial or someother third party broadcast media. In step B, an anonymous delivery ofthe requested third-party channel 504 is made to a first party 501 viathe internet-based media exchange network 500. In step C, the firstparty 501 accesses the third-party channel 504 using a TV channel guidelook-and-feel user interface 502 on a PC 503.

FIG. 6 illustrates a TV channel guide user interface 600 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The TV channel guide userinterface 600 may be displayed on a TV screen 608 and controlled by aremote control device 609. Also, the TV channel guide user interface 600may be displayed on a PC monitor and controlled by a keyboard or mouse.

The TV channel guide user interface 600 may be configured not only forconventional TV channels but also for personal media channels 601 thatare constructed by a user of a media exchange network, friend's andfamily's media channels 602 constructed by friends and family, and thirdparty channels 603 that are constructed by third parties either uponrequest by a user of a media exchange network or based on a profile of auser.

The personal media channels 601 may include, for example, a “familyvacations channel”, a “kid's sports channel”, a “my life channel”, a“son's life channel”, a “my music channel”, and a “kid's music channel”.The friends and family media channels 602 may include, for example, a“brother's channel”, a “Mom's channel”, and a “friend's channel”. Thethird party media channels 603 may include, for example, a “Sears Fallsale channel” and a “car commercials channel”.

Each media channel may correspond to a schedule 604 showing, forexample, a week 605 and a year 606. For example, under the “kid's sportschannel”, Ty's soccer game could be scheduled to be viewed on Tuesday ofthe current week 605 and current year 606. For each media channel, asub-menu 607 allows for selection of certain control and accessfunctions such as “play”, “send to list”, “send to archive”, “confirmreceipt”, “view”, “purchase”, and “profile”.

FIG. 7 illustrates possible multiple instantiations of a TV channelguide user interface 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The TV channel guide user interface 700 may be viewed with aschedule having formats of, for example, “month, year”, “week#, year”,“day, week#”, or “hour, day”.

Referring to FIG. 8, a user of a media exchange network may push a mediachannel (e.g., “Vacation in Alaska Video”) to a friend who is on thesame media exchange network. The TV channel guide user interface 800 maygive the friend several options 801 for how to accept and download thepushed media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, a first, most expensive option 803 may be “ExpressDelivery” which would deliver the pushed media to the friend in 18minutes using queuing and cost $1.20, for example. The pushed media maybe stored in a file in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 4Mbps, for example. Queuing comprises buffering and delivering a previouspart of the media and then buffering and delivering a next part of themedia. For example, a first six minutes of the “Vacation in AlaskaVideo” may be buffered and delivered first, then a second six minutesmay be buffered and delivered next, and so on until the entire media isdelivered.

A second, less expensive option 802 may be “Normal Delivery” which woulddeliver the pushed media in 2 hours and 13 minutes without queuing andcost $0.59, for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in anMPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 1.5 Mbps, for example.

A third, least expensive option 804 may be “Overnight Delivery” whichwould deliver the pushed media by the next morning and cost only $0.05,for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in an MPEG 2format that was recorded at a rate of 19 Mbps and stored on a server,for example.

FIG. 9A illustrates the detailed elements of a media processing system(MPS) 900 and media capture devices 901 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. The media capture devices 901 may compriseaudio, video, and image players, such as digital cameras, digitalcamcorders, and MP3 players, that each include a temporary storage area902 and a communication interface 903 such as, for example, a USBinterface or a wireless interface. The media capture devices 901 havethe capability to interface to an MPS and a PC.

The MPS 900 comprises a media processing unit (MPU) 904, remote userinterface(s) 905, and a TV screen 918 to provide integrated mediaprocessing capability and indirect user interface capability. The remoteuser interfaces 905 may comprise a voice or keyed remote control 906,keyboards and pads 907, a remote PC access interface 908, and a remotemedia system access interface 909 (i.e., providing access from anotherMPS).

The media processing unit (MPU) 904 comprises TV and radio tuners 910for image and audio consumption, communications interfaces 911, channelprocessing 912 (creating, storing, indexing, viewing), storage 913,media players 914 (CD, DVD, Tape, PVR, MP3), an integrated userinterface 915 (to provide a TV channel guide look-and-feel), networkingcomponents 916 to provide client functions such as consumption(billing), authorization (e.g., using digital certificates and digitalID's), registration, security, and connectivity. In an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the networking components 916 mayinclude a distributed server element 917 that is part of a distributedserver.

FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a media processingsystem (MPS) 920 in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention. The MPS 920 is essentially an enhanced set-top-box forviewing and interacting with various user interfaces, media, data, andservices that are available on the media exchange network using, forexample, a remote control. The MPS 920 comprises a media peripheral 921,a MMS (media management system) 922, and a broadband communicationinterface 923.

The media peripheral 921 may include a TV (television), a PC (personalcomputer), and media players (e.g., a CD player, a DVD player, a tapeplayer, and a MP3 player) for video, image, and audio consumption ofbroadcast and/or personal channels. The broadband communicationinterface 923 may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or DSLmodem) or other interface devices in order to communicate with, forexample, a cable or satellite head end.

The MMS 922 includes a software platform to provide functionalityincluding media “push” capability, media “access” capability, mediachannel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service, and a media guide user interface providingan integrated TV channel guide look-and-feel.

FIG. 10 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1000, an MPS 1001, andexternal processing hardware 1002 (e.g., a server) in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The PC 1000 and MPS 1001 includenetworking components 1003 to provide client functions such asconsumption (billing), authorization, registration, security, andconnectivity. Alternatively, the PC 1000 and MPS 1001 may include adistributed server element 1004 that is part of a distributed server.

The PC 1000 and MPS 1001 connect to the external processing hardware1002 via wired or wireless connections. The external processing hardware1002 comprises a distributed server or peer-to-peer server. The externalprocessing hardware 1002 also comprises communication interfaces 1005(e.g., cable interfaces, optical interfaces, etc.) and a media exchangesoftware (MES) platform 1006. The MES platform 1006 in the externalprocessing hardware 1002 allows for communication with the PC 1000 andMPS 1001 which may also use the same MES platform 1006. The externalprocessing hardware 1002 also includes networking server components 1007to provide the similar client functions such as consumption (billing),authorization, registration, security, and connectivity at the serverside.

FIG. 11 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1100, remote media storage1101, and personal media capture devices 1102 when the PC 1100 is usedas the primary distributor of digital media such as in the case ofPC-to-PC operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The personal media capture devices 1102 and remote mediastorage 1101 connect to the PC 1100 via a wireless or wired connection.The remote media storage 1101 provides user media storage anddistribution 1103 as well as third party media storage and distribution1104. The personal media capture devices 1102 provide temporary storage1114 and communication interfaces 1115.

Viewing is done using a PC monitor 1105 instead of a television screen.The PC 1100 may include storage 1106, TV/radio tuners 1107 for mediaconsumption, media players 1108, and communication interfaces 1109 anduser interfaces 1110 similar to those for the MPS of FIG. 9. The PC 1100includes a media exchange software (MES) platform 1111 that provideschannel construction capability 1112 and networking capability 1113. Thechannel construction capability 1112 allows third party and personalmedia access, sequencing, editing, media overlays and inserts, billing,scheduling, and addressing.

In summary, a system and method support billing and payment on a mediaexchange network.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for use in a communication terminal at afirst location in a media exchange network, the system comprising: atleast one processor for operably coupling to at least one interface forcommunicating via a broadband communication infrastructure, the at leastone processor enabling creation by a first user at the first location ofone or more media channels for distribution to an authorized second userat a second location remote from the first location, wherein the one ormore media channels comprises media content selected by the first userand arranged according to times specified by the first user; and whereineach of the one or more media channels comprises a sequence of mediacontent selected by the first user, which is made available forconsumption by the second user of the media exchange network at timesscheduled by the first user, and wherein the one or more media channelsare pushed by the first user at the first location to the second user atthe second location.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the broadbandcommunication infrastructure comprises a cable network.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the broadband communication infrastructure comprises adigital subscriber line (DSL) network.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe media content of a media channel is stored at the first location. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the media contentof a media channel is provided by a third party source remote from thefirst and second user locations.
 6. The one or more circuits of claim 1,wherein the media exchange network comprises a media exchange serverthat associates authorized users as members of a personal network. 7.The one or more circuits of claim 6, wherein the media exchange serveris located within the communication terminal of the first user.
 8. Theone or more circuits of claim 1, wherein media content comprises one ormore of digitized video, digitized audio and one or more digitized stillimages.
 9. The one or more circuits of claim 1, wherein a first user isenabled to anonymously request delivery of media content from a thirdparty to the second user.
 10. The one or more circuits of claim 1,wherein the sequence of media content selected by the first user isreceived by and stored at the location of the second user prior to thetime of availability scheduled by the first user, for consumption at thetime of availability scheduled by the first user.
 11. The one or morecircuits of claim 1, wherein the sequence of media content selected bythe first user is pushed to the communications terminal of the seconduser.
 12. A server for use in a media exchange system, the servercomprising: a communication interface configured to receive, from afirst device at a first location on a media exchange network, a requestfor a media gift to be pushed to a second device at a second location onthe media exchange network; processing circuitry configured toconditionally grant permission for the media gift to be pushed to thesecond device based, at least in part, on a payment status associatedwith the media gift; and the communication interface further configuredto transmit an instruction directing the media gift to be pushed to thesecond device in response to permission being granted.
 13. The server ofclaim 12, wherein: the media gift comprises media content provided by athird party; and the communication interface is further configured totransmit the instruction to a third party server.
 14. The server ofclaim 12, wherein the media gift comprises media content stored at anetwork connected device at the first location; and the communicationinterface is further configured to transmit the instruction to thenetwork connected device.
 15. The server of claim 12, wherein theprocessing circuitry is further configured to obtain payment associatedwith the media gift prior to transmitting the instruction.
 16. Theserver of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to bill an account associated with a user of the first devicefor pushing the media gift to the second device.
 17. The server of claim12, wherein the personalized media channel comprises a media channelstored at the first location.
 18. A method for use in a media exchangesystem, the method comprising: receiving from a first device at a firstlocation on a media exchange network, a request for a personalized mediachannel to be pushed to a second device at a second location on themedia exchange network; determining whether the second device isauthorized to access the personalized selection of media; andtransmitting, to the second device in response to a favorabledetermination, an authorization to access the personalized mediaselection.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining furthercomprises: determining a payment status associated with the personalizedmedia channel.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the personalizedmedia channel is pushed to, and stored at, the second location prior totransmission of the authorization to access.